I NEED ADVICE.

Is there some particular reason you are unable to work during the longer nursing program? And are you in the US? I have never heard of a program than culminates in an RN or an LPN license -- usually you get a degree and then have to take the licensing examination.

I did LPN before RN because LPN was offered while I was in high school and was free-score! But if RN is your end goal, I would go straight for it.

I agree with Old Dude, it is going to be a rough couple of years, working while in school, but weigh your pros and cons.

Pros to LPN first:

Cheaper

Quicker

Cons to LPN first:

Doing things you've already done

You are spending money that you wouldn't be spending on classes if went straight for your RN (which you will eventually pay for)

(Please don't beat me up LPN's) LPN jobs are sometimes difficult to find, or they are only needed in very specific areas (LTC, clinics, etc.)

Good luck in whichever you choose!

Have you been ACCEPTED to the RN program?

Moved to the Nursing Career advice forum

If you want to be an RN I would suggest RN school.

If you go LPN first you are looking at probably more classes and probably more total clinical hours. In my area the LPN and then LPN to RN program is more total credits. Our RN program has 460 clinical hours, the LPN program has 225 clinical hours and the RN bridge has ~300 clinical hours. So a total of 460 vs 525 clinical hours.

Cases where I would suggest LPN first would be if you aren't sure you can be successful as an RN student, or if you aren't going to get into an RN program. The LPN program will be a little easier and then the LPN to RN program is not going to be harder than the generic RN program. Also, in most areas it is easier to get into an LPN program and then easier to get into the LPN to RN program, so this is kind of a back door route into the RN profession.

Hi!

I had the same problem as you a few years ago. I was in the saaaaame situation, torn between the same options, and ultimately I decided to do the RN program over the LPN and honestly, I don't regret it for a moment! It was difficult, I had to take loans, I applied for every scholarship I could, cut and reduced my costs everywhere I could (I lived off of coffee and cereal and milk for plenty of meals ?), I had to use credit cards but it was worth it. It's only an extra year. You'll make more as a RN after graduation, you'll have more opportunities for employment and more growth and you have everything done as you said already to begin! I say you do it and you don't look back. It's going to be one hell of a sacrifice but you'll reap a big reward, I promise you. Good luck and hang in there!

Go straight to RN, don't look back. You wont regret it.

What would be the difference between giving up full time work for two years vs. one year?

If you want to be an RN, please go that way instead. It's not always easy to get into a bridge program. If in fact you successfully bridge, you may only successfully be allowed to bypass one semester so it's essentially you just doing the entire program-- at least that's how it was in the school I went to.

On 3/5/2019 at 10:55 AM, OyWithThePoodles said:

LPN jobs are sometimes difficult to find, or they are only needed in very specific areas (LTC, clinics, etc.)

I tend to agree with this. Where I work, LPN's are essentially CNAs that can administer medicine.